Head for dispensing a liquid product in the form of an aerosol and dispenser equipped with such a head

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a head for dispensing a liquid product in the form of an aerosol. The dispensing head includes a push-button, at least two ducts housed in the push-button and at least two nozzles provided in the push-button. At least part of each duct is radial, and another part of the duct communicates with the nozzle and is orientated parallel to an axis of the nozzle. The nozzles are arranged so that the sprays leaving each nozzle strike each other in order to provide a single and homogeneous spray. The invention also relates to a dispenser equipped with such a dispensing head.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a head for dispensing a liquid productin the form of an aerosol and to a dispenser comprising a container forthe product, equipped with this dispensing head. The dispenser may beused in the field of cosmetics for dispensing a hair lacquer, adeodorant, an anti-lice lotion, in the pharmaceutical field fordispensing insect repellents, and in the field of agriculture fordispensing insecticides.

The dispenser of the invention comprises, a product-dispensing head; anda container equipped with a dispensing valve fitted with a hollowcontrol stem including a product inlet and product outlet; thedispensing head includes a push-button for actuating the valve via thestem, at least two nozzles housed in the push-button and at least twoducts respectively coupling each nozzle to the outlet of the stem.

2. Discussion of the Background

A related lacquer dispenser is described in FR-A-2,691,383. According tothis document, the axes of the two nozzles are situated in one and thesame plane and form with each other a narrow angle of from 1° to 40°.These nozzles are supplied with product via ducts whose axes aremutually parallel. This dispenser delivers a spray whose surface area ofimpact has a variable-density distribution of product, running the riskof altering the hair style. It does not allow the delivery of ahomogeneous and gentle spray. Furthermore, this dispenser with a narrowangle between the two axes of the nozzles is difficult to producebecause it requires the manufacture of highly inclined nozzles.

Also described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,045,925 is a dispenser of two productswhich are contained separately in two containers. Each product isatomized into the form of a spray and the two separate products aremixed by the collision of two sprays. This collision therefore generatesa single spray. The atomization orifices are each connected by astraight duct to the outlet of the valve stem of the correspondingcontainer. An atomizing head with such an arrangement of the twostraight ducts is difficult to manufacture, especially in themold-release phase of manufacture by molding.

Also, bearing in mind the poor mixing of the two products, the collisionof the two sprays of different products does not give a single spraywhich is homogeneous in terms or product.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention therefore aims to overcome the aforementioneddrawbacks.

An object of the present invention is to provide for a dispensing headof the sort previously defined, which delivers a homogeneous spray.

Another object of the present invention is to provide for a dispensinghead which delivers a gentle and non-diffused spray.

A further object of the present invention is to produce for a dispensinghead which delivers a spray which has good properties regarding particlesize of the product droplets and output rate.

Another object of the present invention is to provide for a dispensinghead which is simple to manufacture.

The Applicant has unexpectedly and surprisingly discovered that such aresult could be obtained by the collision of two or more sprayssimultaneously leaving two or more nozzles, each nozzle being suppliedby a duct having a special profile.

The dispensing head of the present invention may be used for dispensinghair lacquer, with the impact of the resulting spray on hair respectingthe shape of the style.

The present invention therefore provides for a head for dispensing aliquid product in the form of an aerosol, including a push-button whichhas a longitudinal axis; at least two ducts housed in the push-button;and at least two nozzles provided in the push-button; wherein at leastpart of each duct is radial, and another part of the duct communicateswith the nozzle and is orientated parallel to an axis of the nozzle sothat the sprays leaving each nozzle strike each other in order toprovide a single and homogeneous spray.

Another object of the invention is a dispenser including a pressurizedcontainer containing a liquid product to be dispensed in the form of anaerosol; a valve for dispensing this product, this valve being equippedwith a hollow valve-control stem including an inlet and an outlet; and adispensing head equipped with a push-button, with two ducts, and withtwo nozzles; wherein the dispensing heads is in accordance with the onedefined earlier.

According to the invention, each duct couples each nozzle to the outletof the valve stem.

Advantageously, the radial part is situated substantially in a planetransverse to the longitudinal axis of the push-button.

According to the invention, each duct may comprise an axial part havingan axis parallel to the axis of the stem. One end of this part of theduct may be connected to the outlet of the hollow valve stem.

Preferably, the product dispensed by the dispensing head is a singleproduct. A single product is understood to be a product which ispackaged in a single container equipped with the atomization headaccording to the invention. In this case, the axial parts of the twoducts are coincident.

Advantageously, in order to make the manufacture of the dispensing headeasier, each nozzle has an axis orientated transversely with respect tothe longitudinal axis of the push-button, the axes of the nozzles beingsituated in one and the same plane.

Preferably, the axes of the nozzles form an angle ranging from 20° to120°, and preferably an angle of 60°, with each other, in order toensure the collision of the particles of the sprays.

The axis of each nozzle can be separated from the axis of the axial partof the duct by a distance at least equal to (i) the length of the pillarof the nozzle plus (ii) the width of the radial part of the duct. Thisseparating distance makes molding and mold-release of the dispensinghead easier, even for a small angle between the axes of the nozzles.

In a first alternate form, the radial part of each duct may connect theaxial part to the other part of the duct communicating with the nozzle.It may be defined in one and the same piece or alternatively in twodistinct pieces. In this case, the radial part of each duct may comprisea first element defined in the same piece as that of the axial part ofthe duct and a second element defined in another piece and carrying oneof the nozzles, the two elements being joined together by a linkingmeans.

Advantageously, the end of the radical part of each duct isperpendicular to the other part of the duct communicating with thenozzle. In a second alternative form, the axial part of the duct may beconnected to the other part of the duct communicating with the nozzle bythe radical part and by a curved, especially flexible part. In thiscase, each nozzle is advantageously held on the push-button by a postand a fastening bracket. Such an arrangement makes mold release of thedispensing head easier and gives this dispensing head a futuristicappearance.

As a preference, the dispensing head may include two nozzles which areadvantageously identical.

Accordingly, the present invention relates to a dispensing head fordispensing a liquid product in the form of an aerosol. The dispensinghead comprises a push-button having an axis; at least two ducts in thepush-button; and at least two nozzles provided in the push-button. Atleast a part of each duct is radial and a further part of the ductcommunicates with the nozzle and is oriented parallel to a nozzle axisof the nozzle so that sprays leaving each nozzle strike each other isorder to provide for a single and homogeneous spray.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete appreciation of the invention and many of the attendantadvantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes betterunderstood by reference to the following detailed description whenconsidered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an axial section of a first alternative form of a dispenser inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a section taken on the line II—II of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2a is a diagram detailing one of the nozzles shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 3 is a diagram of the spray delivered by the dispenser of FIG. 1,in the same plane of section as that of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a section, similar to FIG. 2, of a second alternative form ofa dispenser in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a view in section, similar to FIG. 1, of a third alternativeform of a dispenser in accordance with the present invention, before thenozzles have been held in place;

FIG. 6 is a section, similar to FIG. 2, of the dispenser of FIG. 5,after the nozzles have been mounted in place; and

FIG. 7 is a part section, taken on the line VII—VII of FIG. 6.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designateidentical or corresponding parts throughout the several views, in FIGS.1 to 3, it is possible to see a dispenser denoted overall by thereference numeral 2, having an axis X of symmetry and including adispensing valve 4 equipping a container 6, generally cylindrical,pressurized with a propellent gas. The container 6 further contains aliquid product, for example a cosmetic product, to be dispensed in theform of an aerosol. This container 6 may be fitted with a pocketcontaining the product or with a piston, on either of which a propellantgas would act indirectly.

The dispenser 2 also comprises a push-button 8 fixed to the container 6or to the top part of the valve 4. The push-button 8 includes, along theaxis X, a cylindrical peg 10 integral with the top wall 8a of thepush-button 8. An axial duct 12 passes through the peg 10.

The free end (on the container side) of the duct 12 has a bore 14 with adiameter larger than that of the duct 12, so as to form a housing toreceive as a slight interference fit, the free end of a stem 16 forcontrolling the valve 4. The valve 4 is a conventional valve which iscaused to open by depressing the stem 16 along the axis X when thepush-button 8 is pressed. The axis X also constitutes the longitudinalaxis of the stem 16.

The valve 4 has a body 18 which is crimped, at the top, on the controlstem side, into a dished element 20 fixed by crimping or expansionrolling over a circular opening made at the top of a dome 6a of thecontainer 6. This dished part has a rolled edge 22 and caps the top endof the dome 6a of the container 6. The lower part of the valve body 18,situated on the opposite side of the control stem 16 is equipped with aconnecting region 24 extended by a dip tube 26 stretching as far as thebottom of the container 6.

The free end 28 of the stem 16 constitutes a product outlet of the stem16; the other end of the stem 16 (not represented) situated in the valvebody 18 constitutes the product inlet of the stem 16.

As seen in FIGS. 2, 2a and 3, the push-button 8 includes, according tothe invention, two atomization nozzles 30a, 30b and two ducts 11a, 11b.Each duct 11a, 11b respectively couples each nozzle 30a, 30b to theoutlet 28 of the valve stem 16. Each nozzle 30a, 30b is a piece attachedto the push-button 8 and, in a known fashion, includes swirl passages.Those parts of the dispenser which relate to the first nozzle 30a willhave the suffix a and those parts which relate to the second nozzle 30bwill have the suffix b.

Each duct 11a, 11b comprises an axial part, also known as an axial duct12a, 12b, a radial part, also called a radial duct, 36a, 36b, and a part35a, 35b communicating respectively with each nozzle 30a, 30b.

The push-button 8 further includes two pillars 32a, 32b of circularsection, housed in sleeve tubes 35a′, 35b′ and defining with the latteran annular chamber 34a, 34b supplied respectively by the part 35a, 35bof the duct 11a, 11b. The straight part 35a, 35b of the duct isconnected to the straight radial duct 36a, 36b communicating with theaxial duct 12. The pillars 32a, 32b have axes of symmetry A—A, B—B whichare perpendicular to the axis X. Each pillar 32a, 32b has a front face44a, 44b. Each part 35a, 35b of each duct 11a, 11b emerges in theannular chamber 34a, 34b of the nozzles 30a, 30b and is parallel to theaxis A—A, B—B of the nozzle 30a, 30b.

The nozzles 30a, 30b respectively include a peripheral skirt 38a, 38bwhich is inserted into the annular chamber 34a, 34b against the internalwall 40a, 40b of the sleeve tubes 35a, 35b. Each nozzle 30a, 30b furtherincludes a rear face 42a, 42b parallel to the front face 44a, 44b of thepillars 32a, 32b which presses against it.

In order to atomize product through the nozzles 30a, 30b, theserespectively have an orifice 46a, 46b along the axes A—A and B—B.

The axes A—A, B—B of the nozzles 30a, 30b are situated in one and thesame plane perpendicular to the axis X. In FIG. 2, the axes A—A and B—Bform an angle of 60° with each other.

As seen in FIG. 2, the axis A—A, B—B of the nozzle 30a, 30b is separatedfrom the axis X of the central duct 12 by a distance d which is at leastequal to the length L of the pillar 32a, 32b plus the width l of theradial duct 36a, 36b (d≧L+1).

The push-button 8 is linked to a fixing ring 48 by a film hinge 50. Thefixing ring 48 includes a plateau 51, an external skirt 52, the lowerend 52a of which is in contact with the wall of the container 6 and aninternal skirt 54 which is snap-fitted over the annular edge 22 of thedished element 20 of the container 6. Reliefs 56 connected to theinternal skirt 54 and in contact with the annular edge 22 of the dishedelement 20 ensure good stability of the fixing ring 48 on the container6.

The push-button includes a skirt 58 which is substantially cylindricalabout the axis X, equipped with a tongue 60 for controlling thedispenser which stretches in a plane substantially transverse to theaxis X.

When a thrust is applied to the tongue 60 of the push-button 8, theproduct contained in the container 6 is atomized to the outside via theduct 12, the radial ducts 36a, 36b and the orifices 46a, 46b of thenozzles 30a, 30b under the action of the propellant gas.

As shown in FIG. 3, the two sprays S_(a), S_(b) leaving the two nozzlesmeet at a point of convergence P then form a single divergent spray S.The collision of the particles of the sprays S_(a), S_(b) causes areduction in their kinetic energy generating a spray S with a force ofimpact which is smaller than that of the sprays S_(a) and S_(b); thespray S is therefore gentle. The spray S has a transverse section whichis slightly oval and has an almost homogeneous product density. Itsappearance is identical to that of the single-nozzle sprays of the priorart. The output rate of the spray S is slightly greater than that of aspray obtained with a single nozzle, which makes it possible to hold thehairstyle firmly in place when the dispenser is used for applying hairlacquer.

In FIG. 4 elements which are identical to, or fulfill roles similar to,elements already described are denoted by the same numerical references.They will not be described again or will be described again onlybriefly.

FIG. 4 shows a dispenser which can be distinguished from the one in FIG.2 by the fact that the radial ducts 36a, 36b include two elements 62a,64a, 62b, 64b joined together by a linking means 66a, 66b. The firstelement 62a, 62b is defined in the same piece as that of the centralduct 12. The second element 64a, 64b carries the nozzle 30a, 30b. Thelinking means 66a, 66b includes a sealing ring 68a, 68b carried by thesecond element 64a, 64b and a channel 70a, 70b situated on the inside ofthe first element 62a, 62b, the ring 68a, 68b being snapped into thechannel 70a, 70b. This arrangement makes mold release of the pieces ofthe push-button easier.

Referring to FIGS. 5 to 7, there can be seen another alternative form ofthe dispenser according to the invention. As before, the elements whichdiffer from those of FIG. 1 will carry references increased by 100. Thedifferences essentially relate to the shape of the ducts.

FIG. 5 shows, before mounting of the nozzles in place, a push-button inwhich the ducts 111a, 111b are aligned along an axis Y orthogonal to theaxis X and parallel to the parts 135a, 135b of the duct. The ends 37a,37b of these radical ducts 111a, 111b are substantially parallel to therespective axis A—A, B—B of the associated nozzle 30a, 30b. Such anarrangement makes it possible to produce the push-button by molding as asingle piece, and especially the radial ducts, the sleeve tubes and thepillars.

In this embodiment, the plateau 51 of the fixing ring 48 includes posts74a, 74b and fastening brackets 76a, 76b, the height of which stretchesin a direction substantially parallel to the axis X. These posts andbrackets constitute a means for attaching the nozzles so as to orientatethem in a configuration which makes it possible to obtain the desiredresult for the atomized product.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the duct 111a, 111b is defined in a flexiblepiece and is deformed by placing each nozzle 30a, 30b in the spacesituated between the post 74a, 74b and the fastening bracket 76a, 76b.The duct 111a, 111b has a radical part 136a, 136b which emerges in theaxial duct 12. Although not represented in the Figures, it is preferablefor the wall of each duct 111a, 111b not to have a constant thicknessover one same section, so as to allow good deformation of the duct.

FIG. 7 shows the way in which the nozzle 30a is held by the post 74a andthe fastening bracket 76a. The bracket 76a has a protruding portion 78aperpendicular to the axis of the bracket and allows the nozzle 30a to beheld in position. The piece defining the radical ducts finds itselfblocked between the post and the bracket at each of its ends.

Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the presentinvention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is thereforeto be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, theinvention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically describedherein.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent ofthe United States is:
 1. A dispensing head for dispensing a liquidproduct in the form of an aerosol, the dispensing head comprising: apush-button having an axis; at least two ducts in the push-button; andat least two nozzles provided in the push-button, said nozzles havingnozzle axes oriented so as to direct sprays leaving each nozzle in aplane substantially perpendicular to the axis of the push button;wherein at least part of each duct is radial and a further part of theduct communicates with the a respective nozzle and is oriented parallelto a the nozzle axis of the nozzle so that sprays leaving each nozzlestrike each other to provide a single and homogeneous spray.
 2. Adispensing head according to claim 1, wherein each duct comprises atleast one axial part.
 3. A dispensing head according to claim 1, whereinthe product is dispensed is a single product.
 4. A dispensing headaccording to claim 1, wherein the nozzle axis of each nozzle is orientedsubstantially transversely with respect to the axis of the push-buttonwhich is a longitudinal axis, the nozzle axes of the nozzles beingsituated in one and the same plane.
 5. A dispensing head according toclaim 1, wherein the nozzle axes of the nozzles form an angle rangingfrom 20° to 120° with each other.
 6. A dispensing head according toclaim 2, wherein the nozzle axis of each nozzle is separated from anaxis of the axial part of the duct by a distance which is at least equalto a length of a pillar of the nozzle plus a width of the radial part ofthe duct.
 7. A dispensing head according to claim 1, wherein the radialpart of each duct is situated in a plane transverse to the longitudinalaxis of the push-button.
 8. A dispensing head according to claim 2,wherein the radial part of the duct connects the axial part to thefurther part of the duct communicating with the nozzle.
 9. A dispensinghead according to claim 1, wherein the duct further comprises a curvedpart.
 10. A dispensing head according to claim 2, wherein the radialpart of each duct comprises a first element defined in a same piece asthat of the axial part of the duct and a second element carrying one ofthe nozzles and defined in another piece, the two elements being joinedtogether by a linking means.
 11. A dispensing head according to claim 1,wherein each nozzle is held by a post and a fastening bracket which arefixed to the push-button.
 12. A dispensing head according to claim 1,wherein the radial part of each duct is perpendicular to the furtherpart of the duct communicating with the nozzle.
 13. A dispensing headaccording to claim 1, wherein the dispensing head includes two nozzles.14. A dispensing head according to claim 1, wherein the nozzles areidentical.
 15. A dispenser according to claim 1, further comprising apressurized container which contains the liquid product to be dispensedin the form of an aerosol; a valve for dispensing the product, the valvebeing equipped with a hollow valve-control stem including an inlet andan outlet; and a dispensing head equipped with the push-button whichincludes the at least two ducts, and the at least two nozzles.
 16. Adispensing head for dispensing a liquid product in the form of anaerosol, the dispensing head comprising: a push-button member having alongitudinal axis extending therethrough; at least two duct memberslocated in the push-button member; and at least two nozzle membersextending from said at least two duct members, said nozzle membershaving nozzle axes oriented so as to direct sprays leaving each nozzlemember in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis of the pushbutton; wherein each of said at least two duct members comprises aradial first portion and a second portion which communicates with said arespective nozzle member, the second portion of each duct member beingoriented parallel to a the nozzle axis of the corresponding nozzlemember, such that sprays from each of said nozzles nozzle members strikeeach other to provide for a single homogeneous spray.
 17. A dispensinghead for dispensing a liquid product in the form of an aerosol, thedispensing head comprising: a push-button having an axis including acylindrical skirt; at least two ducts in the push-button extending frominside said skirt to outside said skirt to outside said skirt; and atleast two nozzles provided in the push-button outside said skirt, saidnozzles having nozzle axes oriented so as to direct sprays leaving eachnozzle in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis of the pushbutton; wherein: at least part of each duct is radial and a further partof the duct communicates with the respective nozzle and is orientedparallel to a the nozzle axis of the nozzle so that the sprays leavingeach nozzle strike each other to provide a single and homogeneous spray.18. The dispensing head of claim 1, further comprising a tongueextending laterally from said push button at a position diametricallyopposite a region of intersection of said sprays.
 19. The dispensinghead of claim 1, wherein said ducts are not colinear.
 20. The dispensinghead of claim 1, wherein each of said nozzles is a swirl nozzle.
 21. Thedispensing head of claim 16, further comprising a tongue extendinglaterally from said push button at a position diametrically opposite aregion of intersection of said sprays.
 22. The dispensing head of claim16, wherein said ducts are not colinear.
 23. The dispensing head ofclaim 16, wherein each of said nozzles is a swirl nozzle.
 24. Thedispensing head of claim 17, further comprising a tongue extendinglaterally from said push button at a position diametrically opposite aregion of intersection of said sprays.
 25. The dispensing head of claim17, wherein said ducts are not colinear.
 26. The dispensing head ofclaim 17, wherein each of said nozzles is a swirl nozzle.
 27. Adispensing head for dispensing a liquid product in the form of anaerosol, the dispensing head comprising: a push-button having an axis;at least two ducts in the push-button; and at least two nozzles providedin the push-button, said nozzles having nozzle axes oriented so as todirect sprays leaving each nozzle in a plane which does not contain theaxis of the push button; wherein at least part of each duct is radialand a further part of the duct communicates with a respective nozzle andis oriented parallel to the nozzle axis of the nozzle so that the spraysleaving each nozzle strike each other to provide a single andhomogeneous spray.
 28. A dispensing head for dispensing a liquid productin the form of an aerosol, the dispensing head comprising: a push-buttonmember having a longitudinal axis extending therethrough; at least twoduct members located in the push-button member; and at least two nozzlemembers extending from said at least two duct members, said nozzlemembers having nozzle axes oriented so as to direct sprays leaving eachnozzle member in a plane which does not contain the axis of the pushbutton; wherein each of said at least two duct members comprises aradial first portion and a second portion which communicates with arespective nozzle member, the second portion of each duct member beingoriented parallel to the nozzle axis of the corresponding nozzle member,such that the sprays from each of said nozzle members strike each otherto provide for a single homogeneous spray.
 29. A dispensing head fordispensing a liquid product in the form of an aerosol, the dispensinghead comprising: a push-button having an axis including a cylindricalskirt; at least two ducts in the push-button extending from inside saidskirt; and at least two nozzles provided in the push-button outside saidskirt, said nozzles having nozzle axes oriented so as to direct spraysleaving each nozzle in a plane which does not contain the axis of thepush button; wherein at least part of each duct is radial and a furtherpart of the duct communicates with the respective nozzle and is orientedparallel to the nozzle axis of the nozzle so that the sprays leavingeach nozzle strike each other to provide a single and homogeneous spray.30. A dispensing head for dispensing a liquid product in the form of anaerosol, the dispensing head comprising a push-button having an axis andat least two ducts, the push-button further comprising at least twonozzles in communication with a respective duct, said nozzles havingnozzle axes oriented so as to direct sprays leaving each nozzle in aplane which does not contain the axis of the push button, said nozzlesbeing oriented with respect to each other so that the sprays leavingeach nozzle strike each other to provide a single and homogeneous spray.31. A dispensing head according to claim 27, wherein each of saidnozzles is a swirl nozzle.
 32. A dispensing head according to claim 28,wherein each of said nozzle members is a swirl nozzle.
 33. A dispensinghead according to claim 29, wherein each of said nozzles is a swirlnozzle.
 34. A dispensing head according to claim 30, wherein each ofsaid nozzles is a swirl nozzle.